Nationwide — Charles Leto, a 55-year-old seasonal lifeguard with the Chicago Park District, has been charged with homicide and tried homicide after allegedly taking pictures two Black youngsters at Douglass Park. One of many teenagers died, and the opposite stays in crucial situation. The victims’ households are calling for hate crime expenses.
Based on the Chicago Solar-Instances, Leto, who labored as a seasonal lifeguard, was fixing his bike when 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred stood close by with a gaggle of teenagers. Police say Leto pulled a handgun from his backpack and fired, hitting Marjay within the again and Jeremy within the neck.
Marjay died on the hospital. Jeremy stays in crucial situation and will have mind injury, based on their household’s legal professional. Jeremy can be the cousin of Laquan McDonald, a Black teen whose 2014 killing by a police officer sparked nationwide outrage.
Leto informed responding officers the teenagers adopted and attacked him. “I defended myself, I’ve a license,” he reportedly stated. His legal professional declined to remark. The Chicago Park District has not launched an announcement.
Legal professional Jeff Neslund, who represents the victims’ households, urged prosecutors to discover hate crime expenses, citing the racial dynamics of the case — Leto is white, and the victims are Black. He stated the households are devastated by the taking pictures and need full accountability.
Leto was employed in June 2023 at a pay fee of $16.19 per hour. Previous to the taking pictures, different complaints had surfaced about his conduct. One mother or father recalled an incident at Gill Park the place Leto allegedly screamed at him throughout his youngster’s swim class, making him really feel bodily threatened. One other lifeguard confirmed Leto had a historical past of offended outbursts and confrontational conduct.
The households thanked first responders, medical workers, and neighborhood members for his or her assist. They’re now asking for privateness as they grieve Marjay’s loss and concentrate on Jeremy’s restoration.
